After being limited to only 56 rushing yards during last week’s loss to Whitley County, Harlan County’s running backs made sure it wouldn’t happen a second time in a row.
The running back duo of Thomas Jordan and Jonah Swanner led the Black Bear rushing attack to more than 300 rushing yards while scoring a combined five touchdowns during their stunning 45-18 in over Knox Central.
Jordan had touchdown runs of 65, 11, and 67 yards while Swanner scored from six and 26 yards.
Harlan County fell out of the L4 Security 13th Region Rankings Top 10 after falling to Whitley County, 28-8, but made quick work of the No. 2 ranked Panthers to assure themselves a spot in the upcoming weeks rankings.
Knox Central (3-1) entered the contest unbeaten with wins over Clay County, Bell County, and South Laurel but couldn’t get anything going against a Black Bear team that was bound and determined to even its record at 2-2.
The Panthers entered the matchup winning seven out of the last eight meetings between the two teams but it wasn’t meant to be on Thursday.
Harlan County came out of the gate and surprised Knox Central early and often.
The Black Bears, who are only averaging 12 pass attempts per game, opened up the contest with a 61-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ethan Rhymer to Luke Kelly, who had only one reception entering the game.
The touchdown gave Harlan County a 7-0 advantage just 13 seconds into the first quarter.
The Black Bear defense kept Knox Central’s red-hot offense at bay for the entire first quarter.
Harlan County took advantage of the Panthers’ offensive woes by scoring another touchdown with 1:22 remaining in the first quarter.
Jonah Swanner capped off a touchdown drive by scoring from six yards out to increase his team’s lead to 13-0.
Knox Central finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter as Steven Partin hit Cayden Collins with a six-yard touchdown pass. The Panthers failed to convert the two-point conversion allowing Harlan County to hold a 13-6 lead with 9:19 remaining.
That’s when the Black Bears began to take over.
Knox Central’s touchdown didn’t seem to phase Harlan County as Thomas Jordan scored on the Black Bears’ ensuing offensive play, racing 65 yards while giving Harlan County a 21-6 lead with 9:09 remaining in the first half.
Jordan added an 11-yard touchdown run with six second remaining in the first half allowing the Black Bears to take a 29-6 advantage into the locker room.
The Panthers came out in the second half and looked like a different team.
Partin orchestrated a scoring drive that saw him cap things off with a six-yard touchdown touchdown pass to KT Turner, cutting Knox Central’s deficit to 29-12 at the 7:36 mark of the third quarter.
Harlan County out to rest any chance of a Panther comeback minutes later when Swanner added his second rushing touchdown of the game, a 26-yarder, giving the Black Bears a 37-12 cushion with 1:54 left in the third quarter.
Partin added his third touchdown pass of the game, a 12-yarder to Zach Carroll, to make the score, 37-18, with 11:48 left in regulation but it was too little too late.
Harlan County will be back in action Friday at home against Pike Central while Knox Central will travel to play Paintsville.
The Panthers had little time to celebrate the score, though.
Jordan broke free again on the Black Bears’ ensuing offensive possession, scoring from 67-yards out to give Harlan County a commanding 45-18 lead.
